Poison Ivy

RobS · Apr 30, 2001

I'm surprised there isn't more discussion here on poison ivy. I recall a thread last year on eradication but that won't help my itching /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif Having been recently inflicted I've done some research. Here is a very thorough and well done site covering the topic...

Poison Ivy

I found a recommendation for this stuff, Zanfel. My wife and I are trying it. Jury is still out and it is VERY expensive (we paid $32 for a small tube) though we figure if it works we'll pay about anything. Next step is to teach ourselves and the kids what the stuff looks like. Around here it's not yet leafed out though.

Any other suggestions more than welcome /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

JOR_EL · Apr 30, 2001

Hi Rob,

Grew up around poison-ivy, moved West, and had to re-train for poison-oak.

That "next-step" of recognition/avoidance training is THE one!

Enough close-attention observation (of all seasonal-variations in appearance), and enough scratching, and everyone will develop almost a "That's poison-ivy!" sixth-sense awareness of what is-or-isn't IT!

Hope that spendy stuff works, ... but you're right; tormented people will pay ANYTHING! /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

Good luck!

Larry

Bird · Apr 30, 2001

Rob, I hadn't heard of the Zanfel before. Be sure to let us know how well it works. When I was a kid, I think the standard cure was Calamine Lotion; messy pink stuff. The first, and worst, case I ever got was when I tore the poison ivy off some trees with my bare hands (I'd always been immune), then rubbed my eyes when I got something (bark or dust) in them. That time required a trip to the doctor for an injection. As an adult, for a number of years, I used Ivy-Dry, a very thin, clear liquid that seems to work pretty well, but the last couple of times I've used "Eckerd Maximum Strength allergy relief GEL" (2% Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride); same as Benadryl lotion or gel I think. It's a little thicker, but also clear liquid and I think I like it a little better than the Ivy-Dry.

And I know how to recognize the stuff; that just doesn't prevent me from having to get into it once in awhile./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

Bird

RobertN · Apr 30, 2001

I'm really allergic to poison oak. I get a oozing blistery rash /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

I have found Avon and Technu products work well, and thier less expensive than what you mention.

Both Technu and Avon make a cleaner, but by then you most likely have caught at least a bit of it. These cleaners work pretty good. Both companies also make a pre-exposure condidioner, which works to "block" the poison ivy/oak oils from getting on your skin. But, they typically are only good for an hour before they dry or rub away.

The best thing to relieve poison oak is pure aloe. My wife grows some; it works great. Otherwise, the over the shelf Aloe gels work good.

Another thing that works exceptionally is old fashion homemade lye soap. My Grandma used to make it from rendered lard. I have never seen anything that works nearly as well.

I get Technu at the local pharmacy. We get Avon on-line. I'll have to look at thome for the actual name of the Avon stuff.

RobertN in Shingle Springs Calif

GlueGuy · Apr 30, 2001

I used to deal with poison ivy when I was little (in Illinois). Got a case of it every year until one year my brother & I must have rolled in it or something. We both got supreme cases of the stuff. We were both miserable for a couple of weeks. Never got it again, and assumed I became imune.

Many years later in California, I was out for a motorcycle ride, and had a minor misshap. The bike went down an embankment through a bunch of poison oak. My (future) wife was along, and warned me not to go through the PO, but I was ticked off, and hollered "I don't get that stuff!" Famous last words. I didn't get a bad case, but it was a surprise.

I have since found that given the right circumstances, I will still get it. It never seems to get very bad, and if I ignore it, it will go away in a day or two.

When I know I have to work around it, I will put on a barrier cream (I've tried several, and can't tell the diff. /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif) After, I'll clean up with Tecnu. It really works. As long as I do the 1-2 punch barrier + cleanup with Tecnu I won't get anything.

By the way, you should note that it is very bad to clean up with hot (or even warm) water. This will open up your pores, and get the orushiol into your skin.

Now, just to make you all think that I'm totally crazy /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif, I'll let you know that my wife is seriously into California native plants. Well, Poison Oak is a California native. In fact, my wife believes that it is an important native for many birds and insects that are good for the environment. So, she goes around propogating the stuff everywhere there is a potential for erosion. Turns out the stuff is excellent for erosion control too. Go figure. BTW- She gets it a lot worse than I do, but she deals with it with a smile. Call us a couple of kooks./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

The GlueGuy

Blu21 · Apr 30, 2001

Tecnu is great stuff! I personally dont get it too bad but when I do this stuff stops it. A relative used to use carb cleaner to dry out the poison. Tom

Rick572 · Apr 30, 2001

Rob, If you can, get a couple goats on the property...They love the stuff. in short order you'll not have a poison ivy problem.

Rick

banjobj · Apr 30, 2001

Rob, Thanks for the excellent info. I seem to to get the stuff just by being within a mile of the it. I have a perscription for Methylprednisolone tablets. It is a steroid I believe. You need to take it over a 6 day period, starting with 6 pills and progressing down to 1. It is the only thing that works for me when I get the itch!!!!!

GlueGuy · May 1, 2001

My wife also uses just plain alcohol when we are low/out of Tecnu. That seems to do the trick pretty well too, if not better. The idea is to have something that will "cut" the oil and allow you to wash it off.

The GlueGuy

skent · May 1, 2001

Yeah Glueguy,

I have found that if I realize I've 'gotten into' poison ivy, if I am able to get to a shower withing 3 or 4 hours of contact, and wash REAL well, (like double and triple scrubbing) I can prevent any outbreak. I get it pretty bad if I don't keep after it. A few years ago we had a whole wall of the hog pen covered with the stuff. I pulled it off and dumped it in the woods and went right to the shower. No problems.

Steve
"Amateurs built the Ark. . . . . . . .Professionals built the Titanic"

AndyR · May 1, 2001

I used to be able to get a rash just by looking at the bloody stuff. Seems like every summer I had poison ivy when I was a bit younger. 'Still get it if I'm not paying attention and have found a strange (but effective) solution. If it gets to the blister stage I just have Chinese food - canned or take out doesn't seem to matter. Clears up in a few days. Not entirely sure that it's the MSG or what. Could just be me. Whatever works.....

Andy in NH

JOR_EL · May 1, 2001

Rob,
Just checked out the poison-ivy link you gave us.
Lots of good info, ...thanks for the tip! /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Larry

RobS · May 1, 2001

We've had mixed results with the Zanfel stuff. I've had pretty good success with most of my rash but my wife's is persisting. I didn't use the stuff until about a week after exposure, so I can't conclude anything yet as it may have been the normal course of the itch. I'll give it a shot next time I get exposed, probably this weekend /w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif

Details to follow /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

GlueGuy · May 1, 2001

Steve,

Sounds like you & I are similar in our reactions. I did get a case last year when I was digging out some bacharus (AKA coyote bush), and didn't notice till I got in the middle that there was a little PO poking up through the middle. I had my face in it at the time /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif. I did the usual cleanup, but it had apparently gotten into my eyes /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif... That was not a pleasant week.

The GlueGuy

Rch · May 1, 2001

I have a patient who is an avid bow hunter who tangled with poison ivy unbeknownst to himself. While out in the woods he urinated several times. Boy, was he in agony the next day ! That will sharpen your avoidance skills.

RCH

Boondox · May 1, 2001

The resin that causes the itching isn't destroyed by fire. I well remember one year I cut down and burned a s***load of the stuff. The plant had the last laugh, though; the smoke was full of the chemical and I got it BAD!

Pete

www.GatewayToVermont.com

JayinNH · May 1, 2001

Rob,
I highly recommend Rhuli Gel. It is a clear liquid that is very powerful against Bug bites and Poison Ivy. I get poison ivy if someone nearby is burning. I went tio the hospital on Sunday Because I had it so bad.I figured out that I got the ivy oil on me from the rake. I was cleaning the roots off the tines The next day my right eye was swollen shut , Nose and most of my body covered. They gave me prednisone. I usually visit the doctors once every 4 or so years with a bad case of poison ivy. I have never heard of Zanfel but I will look for it.
Thanks and be CAREFUL!
Jason

GlueGuy · May 2, 2001

I can second the opinion on RhuliGel. My wife & I found it several years ago, and have been very happy with the way it works. It's a clear gel, with a not-unpleasant scent. Works real well at releaving the "itch". Doesn't make you look like a zombi when you have it on your face/arms/etc.

The GlueGuy

ecard · May 2, 2001

I just purchased some Zanfel last night and followed the directions ($24 for 1 oz tube at Kroger). I can already tell a difference. A am not applying it to one area (I have plenty of affected areas to spare) to see if there is really any benefit. It does stop itching completely for about 12 hours after a shower. It has a grity texture and feels real good when applied. I will sacrifice myself for the sake of medical science. Or just stay the hell out of the stuff.

Eric

Phred · May 3, 2001

For those of us that get it bad, rubbing alcohol is the key.

If you even think that you may have come into contact with something that has three leaves and a green stem and somewhat vine like, rinse off with rubbing alcohol. The plant oil is soluble in alcohol but not in water. That’s why if you wash with soap and water you just spread it around.

Alcohol is also cheap.

Phred

P.S. if you catch it fast enough you do not have to put up with the itch!/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Phred on 05/03/01 01:29 AM (server time).</FONT></P>